IT is that time of year again - Guy Fawkes, Bonfire Night, Fireworks Day, Week or Month.

And that is the problem. If bonfire night was, as it says, just one night, then we could all grin, bear and even enjoy it.

We had the loveliest cat who thought he was a person. We adored him as a pet and I learned to hate November 5 because no matter what we did, he would cower under the stairs when the fireworks started and, no matter what advice we followed, we could never coax him out.

Today's firework display photos are not from the olden days, the less enlightened times. At most, they only go back 20 years.

But what struck me when I was looking at these photos was the wonder and joy on the faces of some of the children.

There is a photo of sisters making circles with sparklers. I cannot remember the last time I held a sparkler but I vividly remember the excitement and pleasure it gave me.

So I am grudgingly admitting that there are times when fireworks displays are appropriate - but only with rules.

First: Get rid of any association with Guy Fawkes. He is no longer relevant and few would remember any of the reasons around the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament around 700 years ago.

Second: Bonfire night is for one night only. It should be illegal to even possess them on November 3, when they can be purchased, to November 6 when they should all have been used.

Third: Community bonfire displays are best. Everyone can enjoy the display with less chance of accidents.

A burst of fireworks when appropriate - like New Year for instance - is acceptable, but in moderation. We spent the festive season in a town in southern Italy and were afraid to leave the house on New Year's Eve because it genuinely sounded as though the town was being shelled.

Anyway, have a lovely November 5 but take care. Don't become an annual firework statistic.